[Handwritten cover label:] Ordinances for Deft of [undecipherable: probable reading N.W. Territory] 1787 An Ordinance for the government of the Territory of the United States north and west of the river Ohio. Be it ordained by the United States in Congress assembled, That the said territory, for the purpose of temporary government, be one district, subject, however, to be divided into two districts, as future circumstances may, in the opinion of Congress, make it expedient. [undecipherable] the river [undecipherable] shall be the eastern boundary of [undecipherable] and the said territory shall be [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] There shall be appointed from time to time by Congress a governor, whose commission shall continue in force for the term of three years, unless sooner revoked by Congress; he shall reside in the district, and have a freehold estate therein in [undecipherable] acres of land [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] There shall be appointed from time to time by Congress a secretary, whose commission shall continue in force for four years unless sooner revoked; he shall reside in the district, and have a freehold estate therein in five hundred acres of land [undecipherable]. There shall also be appointed a court to consist of three judges [undecipherable] each shall have a common law jurisdiction, and reside in the district, and have each therein a freehold estate in five hundred acres of land while in the exercise of their offices [undecipherable]. [undecipherable — multiple columns of dense printed text comprising the body of the ordinance, including provisions on property, inheritance, assembly, rights, and governance] Art. I. No person, demeaning himself in a peaceable and orderly manner, shall ever be molested on account of his mode of worship or religious sentiments, in the said territory. Art. II. The inhabitants of the said territory shall always be entitled to the benefits of the writ of habeas corpus, and of the trial by jury [undecipherable]. Art. III. Religion, morality and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged. [undecipherable] The utmost good faith shall always be observed towards the Indians [undecipherable]. Art. IV. [undecipherable] Art. V. There shall be formed in the said territory, not less than three nor more than five States [undecipherable]. Art. VI. There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in the said territory, otherwise than in the punishment of crimes whereof the party shall have been duly convicted [undecipherable]. [undecipherable — attestation block] [bottom right:] ARTHUR ST. CLAIR [undecipherable]